Drug and drink driving and domestic abuse increase worrying - Joint Policing Committee

Crimes classed as domestic abuse incidents have increased in Tipperary compared to this period last year and there has been a dramatic rise in the detection of motorists driving under the influence of alcohol and illicit drugs.

Domestic abuse incidents have increased by 18% in the last year. Violent incidents, breaches of barring, safety and protection orders and any incident prompted by what Gardaí describe as a 'domestic M.O.' have increased across the Tipperary Garda Division.

There have been 575 Mandatory Intoxicant Testing Checkpoints conducted on the roads of the Tipperary Division in the last year (down 5% from 607 in 2022) which has resulted in 56 driving
while intoxicated offences (up 51% from 37 in 2022).

The latest crime statistics for the region were disclosed at a meeting of the Tipperary Joint Policing Committee in Thurles last Friday, where Chairman, Cllr. Noel Coonan, pointed out how the increase in domestic abuse and intoxicated driving reflect the national crime statistics released last week.

Several other types of serious crimes have seen a fall in the number of incidents detected by Gardaí in the Tipperary Division, with the most significant fall coming in the possession of drugs for sale/supply, which is down 34% over the last three months, from 35 to 23.

Statistics are based on December 2021 and January, February 2022 three month period compared with December 2022 and January and February 2023 three month period.

Property crime, which includes all robbery, burglary and various theft offences has fallen by 11%, from 375 incidents to 335. Detections for property crimes have fallen by 40%, from 169 to 101.

Non aggravated burglary fell by 32%, from 81 to 55. Residential burglary is down 41%, while non residential burglary increased by 7%. Detections increased by 25%.

Crimes against the person, which includes murder, all assaults, harassment, child abandonment, neglect or cruelty decreased by 27% and detections fell by 75%. Assaults causing harm and minor assaults decreased by 11%, from 179 incidents to 131.

Possession of drugs for personal use is down by 3%, with 97 incidents decreasing to 94 and overall searches within the Tipperary Division are down 7%. Possession of firearms and offensive weapons also fell by 7%, from 15 incidents to 14.

Fatal collisions on the roads are down 100% and serious injury collisions are down 17% and over the last 12 months offences for using a mobile device while driving  have fallen by 34% from 906 cases to 601.

Incidents of motorists and passengers failing to wear a seatbelt have increased by 30% from 223 detections to 290, while the number of motorists detected speeding has decreased by 23%, from 4,683 detections to 3,604.

Chief Superintendent Colm O'Sullivan explained the statistics to the Joint Policing Committee and before concluding his presentation gave a very strong message to motorists to stop speeding on the road.

This was echoed by Ardcroney based Councillor, Ger Darcy, who described the frequent behaviour of many motorists on the roads of Lower Ormond and North Tipperary in general as "frightening" - adding that regular blackspots for speeding need more attention from Roads Policing Gardaí.

Expressing concern over the fall in detections of several categories of crimes and the decrease in searches carried out by Gardaí, Deputy Martin Browne asked if the issue stems from lack of manpower.

Chief Superintendent said graduates from the Garda College in Templemore will be stationed around the country in July and that he cannot predict how many new members will begin work in Tipperary. Retiring members will have an effect on staff numbers in several Garda Stations in Tipperary before July, the Chief Superintendent said.

"Our biggest challenge in the next 12 months will be the difficulties in recruitment with trying to replace people - but it is up to us to police smarter and to make sure we make maximum use of the bodies we have at the moment," Superintendent Eddie Golden added.